Water softener



April 3, 1928.

H. N. SMITH WATER SOFTENER Filed March 3. 192? VE' E155 Howard N. Smh

Patented Apr.V 3, UNITED STATES 1,664,435 APATENT orf-les.'y

HOWARD SMITH, 0l' OAK IABK, ILLINOIS.

'WATER SOFTENEB.

Application led March 3, 1927. Serial No. 172,287.

This invention relates to a water softening device constructed to ermit the same to be conveniently plunge into water to movea water softening mineral therethrough and, furthermore, permitting the water to move upwardly and then downwardly through the mineral as the device is withdrawn. The water is adapted to be moved through the mineral by pressure created b conflmng a quantity of water in a sma space onl the downstroke of the device and causin a suction, action to be created throng holes in the device by employin an outer hood which partially covers one end of the main container of the device.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apertured plunger type device for softening water, said device containing a confined softening mineral adaplted to be first moved.

under pressure throug the water and then permitting the water to `move through the the downstroke |of the mineral to thoroughly agitate the same to produce the desired softenin ofthe water. It is also an object-of this invention to provide a water softenin device havin a bell shaped or conica? apertured an screened container adapted to hold a softening mineral, said container havin associated therewith a spaced hood adapte on the retraction of the device to create a vacuum vsuction action.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a plunger type of water softener embracing a conlcal type container provided with a plurality of sets of screened aperturesof different sizes and with a spaced outer hood associated with one of said sets of screened apertures to create a suction on the not allow the softening mlneral to be confined by pressure from below so rapidly as to sto the flow of water therethrough, thereby a Ording an arrangement whereby water may be rapldly softened by permitting water to pass upwardlyA throu h `the mineral on evice and furthermore creating a suction action on the upstroke, allowing the water to still circulate upwardly through the mineral until the locked in one end t permit the` water to be confined rapldly, but which willl means of a retaining ring 15.

and rolled to expose all surfaces thereof to the action of the water to provide an eicient and rapid water softener.

Other and yfurther important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings. f

T 1s invention illustrated in the more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section throu h a water softener embodying the princip es of this invention showing parts broken away Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section of the main container taken on line III-III of Fi re 1.

As shown on the rawin s:

The improved water so tener is of the plunger type, operable by means of a handle or stick 1, the lowerend of which is threaded at 2 and removably engaged in an internally threaded sleeve orv filler socket 3. A lock nut or washer 4. is engaged on the outer end .of the threaded ortion 2 and seats against the end of the s eeve 3 to hold the handle place. The sleeve or socket 3 has in a preferred form) is or sleeve 'integ'ra 1y formed on the upper end of a bell shaped or frustum shaped conrawings and hereinafter' ereof rigidly secured ina collar tainer orcasin consistingof a reduced upv' 'per frustum s aped body section 6, an`intermediate frustum' shaped bod section 7, and a 'lower frustum shaped body section 8; the lower end of which is open to permit water to readily vpass into the lower chamber` 9fprovided in said lower casing section 8 when the device is put into use.

The upper conical casing section 6 is provided with a circumferential ring or row of large apertures 10 all of which are closed b means of an inner frustum shaped or com? cal screen 11 which seats against the inner surface of the upper casing section 6 and is held in place by means of retaining rings 12 or other suitable means. The intermediate conical section 7 is provided with a circumferential row of smaller openings 13 each of which is closed on its inner side by means of an individual, screen 14 held in lace by ounted transversely across the interior of the cassofteningmineral particles 18. The min,

eral 18 is adapted to be fed into the container through the passaged socket or sleeve 3 when the handle 1 is removed. It will be noted that the threaded end 2 of the handle acts asa plug for closing the sleeve 3 so that the mineral particles within the chamber 17 are prevented from escaping from the container by the retaining screen 16 and the screens 11 and 14, closing the large apertures 10 and the smaller apertures 13, respectively.

A suction producing device forms a part of the water softener and comprises an outer frustum shaped hood or cone 19 the upper restricted end of which is provided with a circular flange 20 which fits around the casing collar 5 and is rigidly secured thereto by any suitable means to hold the conical hood over the upper casing section 6 and spaced therefrom to afford a recess or jacket 21 around the upper section of the casing.

The operation is as follows:

By removing the handle 1 from the socket 3 a suitable water softening mineral 18 is adapted to be deposited in the casing chamber 17 upon the main retaining screen 16. After filling the device the handle is put back intoA place and the water softener is ready for use. By gripping the handle 1 the water softener is adapted to be pushed or plunged into a body of water which is to be softened. The downward movement of the water softener through thewater causes the mineral within the chamber 17 to be moved downwardly through the water, thereby tending to produce a softening action onthe water passing upwardly through the device i first entering the chamber 9 and then passing through the main screen 16 through the restricted chamber 17 and, outthrough the lower screened openings 13 and the larger` upper screened openings 10 in theupper restricted casing section 6. The water passing out ofthe screened'aperture openings 10 enters the hood chamberv 21l (and is then directedl downwardly around the outside of the casing sections 7 and 8. It willthus be noted that a somewhat circular path is followed by the water passing upwardly through and out of the aperturedscreened casing.

After a downward movement of the device the device is moved upwardly by means of the handle 1.' As the device iis pulled u wardly or retracted the water which illsvt e hood chamber 21 on the downstroke of the devlce is permitted to escape through the lower end of the hood so that a vacuum or suction action is created within the hood 19, causing the water in the device to continue 'the water.

vjects from moving into direct contact with the screen 10 to damage the same. With the upstroke of the device the hood 19 affords a means whereby a vacuum .action is created therein to facilitate the passage of the water upwardly through the mineral particles.

It will thus be noted that the device does not displace water with the mineral particles, but forces the water between said particles creating a circulation in the body of water to be softined so that the softening action is efficient and is adapted to be produced. in a comparatively short time. Due to the pressure created on the mineral particles by the downstroke of the device in the water said mineral particles are caused to roll or be moved to expose all the free surfaces thereof to the action of the water, while on the upstroke of the device the water is caused to continue to travel upwardly through the container until the hood is withdrawn from the body of water to break the vacuum or suction action at which time the water in the where the water is extremely hard the same may require a number of operations of the device to I am aware that many changes'may be made, and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles lof this invention, and I therefore do not pur ose limiting the patent granted hereon, ot erwise than` necessitated by the priorlart.

I claim as my.. invention:

1. A water softener com rising a conical casing having `a pluralit o v sets of openings a main screen positione transversely in said casing to retaln a mineral therein, a handle in one end of said casing to permit operation of the same, and a hood engaged over one end of said casin and spaced therefrom.

2. A water so tening device comprising a produce the desired softening of conical casing havingy a plurality of openthe casing, a main screen in said casing for Supporting the mineral particles, a handle removably engaged in said socket to close the opening therein and afford a means for operating the device, and a vacuum producing means mounted above said casing to facilitate the Water softening action produced by the device when in operation.

3. A water softening device comprising an upper casing section, an intermediate casing section, and a lower casing section all connected one to the other, said upper casing section and said intermediate casing sect-ion having a). plurality of openings therein, screens for closing said opening, a main screen separating said intermediate casing section from said lower casing section, a socket secured to said upper casing section adapted to permit a water softening material to be deposited in said upper and intermediate casing sections upon said main screen, a handle removably engaged in said socket, and a hood secured on said socket over'said upper casing section and spaced therefrom.

4. A water softening device comprising a conical casing having a plurality of openingsY therein, screens for closing said openings, a mineral supporting partition in said casing below said opening, a handle on said casing, and a suction producing hood supported on said handle and spaced from one end of said casing.

5. A Water softening device of the class described comprising a handle, a pair of concentric conical casings supported thereon in superimposed spaced relation one of said casings having a plurality of openings therein, and screens in said apertured casing for closing said openings 'and for holding a Water softening material within said casing.

6. A water softening device of theclass'V described comprising an apertured casing,

screens in said casing for closing the apertures therein, a main retaining screenpartitioning the interior of said casing to retain a. water softening mineral therein, and a hood supported above and spaced from said casing.

7. A water softening device comprising a Ycasing having a plurality of sets of openings of different size therein, screens for closing said openings, a main screen positioned transversely in said casing below said openings adapted to coact with the screens closing said openings to retain a water softening substance within a portion of said casing, and means connected with said casing to facilitate operation thereof.

8. A water softening device comprising a casing constructed of a plurality of connected frustum shaped sections, a ertures in certain of said sections, screens for closing said apertures, a main screen partitioning said casing into a plurality of chambers, means for actuating the casing, and a frustum shaped hood supported on said means in spaced lrelation from one end casing.

9. A water softening device comprising a casing having a plurality of openings therein, means for retaining a water softening mineral in said casing, and a hood surrounding and spaced from said casing to facilitate the water softening action of the device.

10. A water so ening device comprising an apertured casing having plurality of openings therein, screens closing said openings, a s'creen partition in said casing to provide a plurality of chambers one of which is adapted to hold a water softening substance,

a sleeve on said casing to permit the Water softened material to be supplied to the casing, a handle removably engaged in said sleeve to close the same after a fitting operation, means for holding the handle locked in position, and a vacuum producing hood supported on said sleeve in spaced relation over one end of said casing.

11. A water softening device comprising: a screened apertured casing, a handle for operating the same, and a hood supported on said handle in spaced relation over one end of said casing.

,In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

HOWARD N. SMITH.

of said i 

